Blackpool’s first top-flight match since 1971 is not the glamorous English Premier League debut fans dreamed of when the Tangerines were promoted in May.
At least today’s short trip to Wigan represents a realistic chance to start the season with some points.
Striker Marlon Harewood joined Blackpool this week and is one of the club’s few players with Premier League experience. He said even a game against a Wigan side that finished six points above last season’s relegation zone will prove a challenge for his new teammates.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“We’re the underdogs now, but we’ve got nothing to worry about, we’ve just got to go out there and enjoy ourselves,” the former West Ham and Aston Villa striker said. “They’ll get used to it straight away, but obviously it’s a big step up from the championship and they’ll realize that on the first day.”
Harewood is one of the few additions to a side that finished sixth in the League Championship and clinched qualification through the playoffs.
Harewood, defender Craig Cathcart, winger Elliot Grandin and midfield pair Ludovic Sylvestre and Malaury Martin all arrived at Blackpool this week, with the club’s first off-season transfers going through only after manager Ian Holloway had ended speculation he was going to quit by signing a new contract.
Harewood and former Manchester United trainee Cathcart should make their debuts against Wigan, but Sylvestre and Grandin need international clearance before they can play.
Blackpool are favorites to finish last in the Premier League, but then they were also expected to be relegated last season instead of getting promoted.
Holloway has spurned the usual newcomers’ approach of signing former Premier League players, opting for Cathcart, former Marseille winger Grandin and Monaco-trained Malaury.
“I will make good preparations and I’ll be ready,” Grandin said. “I can keep hold of the ball and I’ll create opportunities for the guys in front of me, applying speed to the game out wide.”
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